This last week, I was thumbing through my third book, Shadow and Memory, and found myself liking the poems in there. As I’ve written poetry or music over the years, I’ve found it’s easier to enjoy something I’ve created once some time has passed. Memories of agonizing over which word to use, whether to breakContinueContinue reading “Perdition”
Category Archives: Spiritual / religious poetry
In Memoriam CVI (106)
Last year, I became acquainted with Tennyson’s In Memoriam, a series of 131 poems he wrote for a close friend that died suddenly. These poems are full of beauty and striking imagery that uncovers the many faces of grief. I’ve read through In Memoriam twice but continue to keep a copy by my bed soContinueContinue reading “In Memoriam CVI (106)”
Many Waters
In my new book, Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, I mention that the original title was Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. My friend and fellow writer, Matt Randles, suggested making that the subtitle and drawing a title from a line in one of the poems. I decided to take Matt’s suggestion and beganContinueContinue reading “Many Waters”
A Christmas Carol—Christina Rossetti
Adoration of the Shepherds by Gerard van Honthorst Christina Rossetti is a poet I became acquainted with in 2022…or so I thought. While reading her poems for the first time, I realized I had heard her poem “A Christmas Carol” set to music years before. “A Christmas Carol” is a meditation on how much ChristContinueContinue reading “A Christmas Carol—Christina Rossetti”
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
With Christmas just around the corner, I have carols on my mind. In my latest book, Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, I poetically interact with sacred texts, and some of those are traditional hymns. Knowing my love of Christmas music, I knew some of those hymns would be Christmas carols, and I didContinueContinue reading “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
Psalm 126
Psalm 126 is a joyous song about the Lord restoring Israel after a time of suffering and judgment. It portrays a people so grateful they think they must be dreaming. The thought of being joyful to point of dreaming piqued my interest, so I wrote a poem based on this psalm for my latest book,ContinueContinue reading “Psalm 126”
Psalm 41
In my new book, Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, I poetically interact with sacred texts, such as Psalms. There are 150 psalms, so I decided to write a poem based on one of every 10. From the fifth grouping, I chose Psalm 41. There is a spiritual battle in the subtext of theContinueContinue reading “Psalm 41”
What the Seven Thunders Said
Art by Nina Paley / apocalypseanimated.com Revelation, the final book of the Bible, is a series of visions recorded by John (either John the Apostle or John the Elder, scholars don’t agree…but do they ever?). Nearly every image in these visions comes from the Old Testament. That said, the images are combined in surprising waysContinueContinue reading “What the Seven Thunders Said”
This Is My Father’s World
Based on headlines, we might conclude this world belongs to chaos, harm, and despair. We do live in uncertain, though not unprecedented, times; uncertainty is a hallmark of human existence. But these words echo from another uncertain age: “This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft soContinueContinue reading “This Is My Father’s World”
Psalm 97
Last night, there was a lightning storm, plus some nearby wildfires, so it is fitting I chose “Psalm 97” as today’s poem. This poem poetically re-processes the original psalm, which presents God as Justice and King. ”Psalm 97” is part of my new collection, Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, which I released lastContinueContinue reading “Psalm 97”
A Wandering Minstrel 